by orionontv | Nov 26, 2024 | Agriculture
For immediate release: November 26, 2024
Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724
Thanksgiving Food Safety: Tips to Enjoy a Safe Holiday Feast
Lansing, MI – As Thanksgiving approaches, families across the country are busy planning their holiday meals. While preparing the perfect turkey and all the trimmings can be exciting, food safety is critical to ensure your celebration remains joyful and healthy. Follow these essential tips for a safe and stress-free Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends to celebrate and give thanks for the blessings and bounty of the harvest,” said Tim Slawinski, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health. “As you celebrate, however, it’s important to take a few precautions to keep foodborne illness off your guest list.”
Here are a few simple steps you can take to assure your holiday feast is safe:
Planning Ahead
Preparation: Store your food at the correct temperatures before preparation. Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are set to 40°F or below and 0°F, respectively. Make room for holiday meal items and leftovers by clearing outdated foods from your refrigerator. Make sure your refrigerator shelves and storage drawers are clean by washing and wiping them with hot, soapy water and letting them air dry.
Thawing Your Turkey Safely
The USDA outlines three safe methods for thawing your turkey:
- Refrigerator Thawing: Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. For example, a 16-pound turkey will take four days to thaw.
- Cold Water Thawing: Submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per pound.
- Microwave Thawing: Check your microwave’s manual for specific instructions. Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.
Unsafe methods, such as thawing on the counter or in the garage, should be avoided under all circumstances.
Cooking Tips
- Cook to the Right Temperature: Use a food thermometer to ensure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Check the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and stuffing (if cooked inside the turkey).
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards thoroughly after handling raw meat. Use separate tools for raw and cooked foods.
- Stuffing Safety: Cook stuffing in a separate dish or ensure it reaches 165°F if prepared inside the turkey.
Leftovers Made Safe
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
- Store leftovers in small, shallow containers for quick cooling.
- Reheat to 165°F before serving and consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze leftovers and use within 2-6 months for best quality.
By following these tips, you can focus on enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal without worrying about foodborne illnesses.
For additional food safety tips, visit www.Michigan.gov/foodsafety or the USDA Health and Safety page. |
by orionontv | Nov 25, 2024 | Recreation
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News Digest – Week of Nov. 25, 2024
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Here are a few of this week’s stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTOS: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email (snowmobiling in Marquette County and jumping girl) are available in the DNR’s public image gallery. The wild turkey photos are available in a separate folder.
Calling all fans of Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas! You’re invited to the special two-part “Inside Michigan State Parks” webinar series highlighting a few of the exciting projects in the works around the state.
Each webinar features DNR team members and the partners who are helping bring these projects to life. Two webinars are coming up in December.
“Creating a Sense of Place”
Monday, Dec. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Space Haus and the DNR are creating interpretive experiences at Muskegon, Orchard Beach, Dodge #4 and Sterling state parks this year. Hear about curating the stories that make each place special and the creative process for telling the stories in a way that is compelling for many generations. You’ll also explore examples of how this has been done successfully around the country. |
“Creating More Resilient Children through Nature Play”
Monday, Dec. 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The DNR is proud to partner with the Natural Learning Initiative to foster nature-based design thinking for our play spaces. These make play educational for our littlest visitors. Hear from the preeminent experts on nature-based play, who have insight into shaping experiences that help children engage in the natural world.
Register for the series (you can sign up for one or both). These projects are made possible thanks to support from Recreation Passport purchases and the $2 Difference (from campers and boaters who gave an additional $2 when making their camping or boating reservations), as well as donor contributions and purchases of outdoor-inspired products from the DNR’s These Goods are Good for Michigan partners.
Questions? Contact Maia Turek at 989-225-8573.
Did you know that turkeys not only gobble, they also cluck and purr? And in addition to flying, wild turkeys can even swim when they need to! Thanks to collaborative conservation, these incredible birds are thriving across Michigan.
In the early 1900s, overhunting and habitat loss nearly wiped out the state’s population, but the DNR and partners including the National Wild Turkey Federation worked together to reintroduce wild turkeys to the state and restore habitat they need to flourish.
Michigan’s oak-savannah habitats are of particular importance. These lightly forested grasslands with abundant oak trees provide turkeys with acorns to eat and habitat to build their nests at the base of trees, under shrub or in the tall grass. Oak-savannah habitats also support the nesting needs of migratory birds, such as the blue-winged warbler and eastern towhee. In addition to forests, Michigan’s wild turkey population can be found in fields, wetlands and urban and suburban parks.
The resurgence of wild turkeys is a conservation success story and a reminder of the impact that partnerships can have in protecting wildlife. Ongoing support and awareness of habitat conservation are essential to maintaining this progress. Learn more about Michigan’s wild turkey conservation efforts. |
Michiganders can help by volunteering with the DNR on public lands stewardship efforts, establishing food plots on their property, or participating in community science initiatives like turkey population monitoring each summer.
While it might seem counterintuitive, regulated hunting of wild turkeys also supports their conservation and management. Hunting license fees and excise taxes on hunting equipment support the DNR’s Wildlife Division. A portion of turkey hunting license fees also goes into the DNR’s “turkey fund,” which is used for habitat management on public lands to conserve populations and critical habitat. Learn more at the DNR turkey webpage. Turkey hunting season is closed for 2024 and will open in the spring and fall of 2025.
MI Birds is a public outreach and engagement program presented by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR that works to build and bring together wildlife enthusiasts across the state to engage with and conserve Michigan’s birds and public lands.
Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453. |
While we don’t yet know what winter has in store, state-designated snowmobile trails are open Dec. 1 to March 31, and trail grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Now is a good time to prep for the season (think snow!), starting with purchasing your snowmobile trail permit.
Michigan is home to 6,000-plus miles of DNR-designated snowmobile trails, public roads and public lands (only where riding is authorized).
Did you know that nearly 1,900 private landowners allow use of their land to create the trails network? Their generosity allows the DNR to offer trails that connect communities and bring snowmobilers to special places of interest that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them.
“We’re incredibly grateful to these property owners and their partnerships with their local snowmobile clubs,” said Jessical Roehrs, statewide motorized trails analyst for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “It’s important for all of us to give thanks to these landowners and to remember to be respectful of the land, wherever we ride.” |
Here is ride-related info to keep in mind:
- Always Ride Right: Ride sober, ride at safe speeds and ride on the right side of the trail. Get more tips at Michigan.gov/RideRight.
- Your $52 snowmobile trail permit is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. Buy permits online through eLicense (your sticker will be mailed within seven to 10 days) or the Michigan Snowmobile ORV Association (which processes permit orders daily Monday through Friday) and in person at DNR license agents and dealers.
- Residents must also register snowmobiles with the Michigan Secretary of State (unless sleds are used solely on private property). Registration is good for three years, and those registration dollars support the purchase of easements, law enforcement on trails and safety education.
- The snowmobile program is 100% funded by trail permit and registration dollars that are directly reinvested into the program to benefit snowmobilers. The funds pay for grooming, signage, maintenance, bridge and culvert construction, purchase of new equipment, liability insurance, maintenance of trailhead amenities (signage, bathrooms, plowing of parking lots) and other snowmobile-related expenditures.
- Remember that some snowmobile trails may not be open Dec. 1 due to trail conditions or other factors such as in-progress maintenance projects. Know before you go by checking the DNR’s closures webpage.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. Questions? Contact Jessica Roehrs at 517-331-3790. |
Now that most trees across the state have dropped their leaves, tree maintenance may not be top of mind. When it comes to your oak trees, however, you might want to reconsider!
Oak trees in areas of the Lower Peninsula, as well as in Dickinson, Iron, Marquette and Menominee counties in the Upper Peninsula, are dying from oak wilt. One of the best ways to help prevent oak wilt from infecting trees on your property is to avoid wounding them during the high-risk infection period, April 15 to July 15. In fact, the safest time to prune oak trees is the winter season. In case you missed it, this recent DNR news release explains more about oak wilt, covers the benefits of off-season pruning and gives other useful information. |
See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Stacy Pokrywka, for the Michigan DNR, at Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County.)
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When it comes to Michigan’s great outdoors, there’s much to be thankful for. This holiday weekend, discover things to do and enjoy a new adventure!
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Snowshoe building, ice fishing (panfish, steelhead and walleye), turkey hunting and more, you can learn it all with the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy in 2025.
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Want to support Michigan’s outdoors and history but aren’t sure how to help? Visit our Get Involved page and learn about ways to give, volunteer and partner.
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by orionontv | Nov 22, 2024 | Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
November 21, 2024 Diane Cross
[email protected]
US-24 (Telegraph Road)/M-102 (8 Mile Road) diverging diamond interchange expected to open soon in Metro Detroit
DETROIT/SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project to modernize the US-24 (Telegraph Road)/M-102 (8 Mile Road) interchange to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) is wrapping up, with the new DDI expected to be in operation sometime this weekend or early next week. This is the first DDI in this part of Metro Detroit.
While the majority of work for this project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, crews will return next spring for landscaping and punch list work.
DDIs allow for safer driving as they eliminate loop ramps, reduce conflict points and delays, and produce lower traffic speeds. MDOT has already installed DDIs at the I-96/Cascade Road interchange in Grand Rapids, the I-75/University Drive interchange in Auburn Hills, and the I-94/US-127/West Avenue interchange in Jackson, among others.
US-24 (Telegraph Road) will be closed in each direction at M-102 (8 Mile Road) from 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, to 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, while crews continue to install supports for overhead signs, complete traffic signal and under-bridge lighting, place pavement markings and begin work on traffic control islands to help direct drivers through the new interchange. Traffic will be detoured onto M-102 (8 Mile Road) to the first turnaround, then back to US-24 (Telegraph Road) via M-102 (8 Mile Road).
Beginning at 6 a.m., Monday, Nov. 25, if weather cooperates, northbound and southbound US-24 (Telegraph) will have a combined 18 new traffic signals at M-102 (8 Mile Road) in operation to control traffic through the newly modernized interchange, with left turns from US-24 (Telegraph Road) to M-102 (8 Mile Road).
As part of the DDI design, US-24 (Telegraph Road) now shifts first left and then right under the M-102 (8 Mile Road) bridge to permit left turns from US-24 (Telegraph Road) to M-102 (8 Mile Road) without encountering oncoming traffic.
Initially, there will be only two lanes open for northbound and southbound US-24 (Telegraph Road) at M-102 (8 Mile Road) until mid-December when traffic will reopen to four lanes in each direction.
In addition to modernizing this interchange to improve efficiency and enhance safety, MDOT invested $54 million over two years to rebuild 1.4 miles of US-24 (Telegraph Road) between M-5 (Grand River Avenue) to north of M-102 (8 Mile Road). Work also included improving five bridges, drainage and water main relocation work, sidewalk ramp improvements compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), replacing signs, and traffic signal and lighting work from the M-5 (Grand River Avenue) intersection to M-102 (8 Mile Road).
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 653 jobs.
by orionontv | Nov 22, 2024 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 22, 2024 |
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AG Nessel Announces Missing or Murdered Indigenous People Task Force
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LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the formation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Task Force to address the high rates of violence against Indigenous people in the state of Michigan. This interagency collaboration brings together tribal, federal, and state and local prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and human services specialists to identify, develop, and implement solutions to the MMIP crisis.
“The MMIP Task Force marks a critical first step in combatting abuse and violence against Indigenous people in Michigan,” said Attorney General Nessel. “By prosecuting and tackling the root causes of these crimes, working directly with this broad coalition of MMIP Task Force members, we can build safer communities and pave the way for justice for the families and victims impacted by this crisis. I look forward to working alongside tribal leaders and state, federal, and nonprofit partners to create real, systematic change for Michigan’s Indigenous population.”
Studies indicate that a significant majority, nearly 85 percent, of Indigenous women experience violence in their lifetime. The MMIP Task Force will focus on improving the investigation and prosecution of MMIP cases, bridging gaps in the law enforcement systems, and identifying best practices. By examining the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of Indigenous individuals, particularly women, children, and two-spirit people, the Task Force aims to develop a holistic, victim-centered, and culturally honoring approach to prevention, response, and support.
The Department of Attorney General held the first MMIP Task Force meeting in September 2024, where tribal leaders, state and federal agencies, and advocacy groups discussed raising awareness, identifying contributing factors, and developing Michigan-specific solutions to the MMIP crisis. The next MMIP Task Force meeting will be in December 2024.
To gather information and connect with MMIP victims, the Attorney General has established a tip line. This tip line is in addition to the federal and tribal resources that have been put in place, including the tribal community response plans that many of the Michigan tribes have adopted. Individuals with information about missing or murdered Indigenous people in Michigan can now call 517-284-0008 in addition to the other available resources.
“I am grateful to Attorney General Nessel for her leadership addressing the persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten. “We are 100% committed to working with our federal, state, local, Tribal and other partners to swiftly investigate these cases and secure justice.”
“The Michigan State Police sincerely appreciates the work of the Attorney General to bring much needed attention to the high rates of violence against Indigenous people in Michigan,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. “The MSP supports the efforts of the MMIP Task Force and is fully committed to supporting victims and working with our law enforcement partners to improve collaboration and communication in the investigation of these cases.”
“The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is pleased to join forces with Attorney General Nessel, other tribal nations within Michigan, and the rest of the MMIP task force to work collaboratively on awareness, prevention, response, and support of missing or murdered indigenous people,” said Matthew Wesaw, Tribal Council Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. “Too many of our sisters and brothers live with the devastation of having prematurely lost a loved one due to violence. We hope that this new collaboration will build upon and advance our previous efforts to make a meaningful difference.”
“My hope is that this task force will help develop and support such a robust multi-jurisdictional response to the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous people that it can be felt by communities throughout Indian Country, and that real change occurs to make our people feel safer, more protected and heard, and that we not only find justice for victims but realize a reduction in the number of future victims through a focus on prevention,” said James Williams, Jr., Tribal Chairman of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
“The Gun Lake Tribe appreciates the collaboration with Michigan Attorney General Nessel and her office on the formation of the MMIP Task Force,” said Virginia Sprague-Vanderband, Gun Lake Tribal Council Member. “This grassroots cause which began as MMIW and has turned from the focus solely on women to people are important to our tribal community. In a community that focuses on the wellbeing and protection of all our citizens, we knew we had to participate. Our tribe also has an internal task force focused on policies and procedures that protect these rights from National Indian Child Welfare Association, Domestic Violence, and MMIP. It is an honor to have three Gun Lake Tribe leaders on this statewide task force: Jodie Palmer, Tribal Council Vice-Chair, Liz Cook, General Counsel, and myself Virginia Sprague-Vanderband, Tribal Council. We are excited to be a part of this effort and applaud the state’s commitment to this movement.”
“We’re grateful that Attorney General Nessel is leading this new effort to address the heartbreaking issue of violence impacting Indigenous people,” said Dorie Rios, Chair of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. “For too long this issue has been largely ignored by local, state and federal law enforcement officials, leaving Tribal members to feel like second-class citizens. This task force will help bring change to a long-overlooked human rights issue.”
“As someone who has worked as a social worker in tribal governments here in Michigan and across the country, I have witnessed up close the need to bring greater attention to reducing the high rates of violence within indigenous communities,” said Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Austin Lowes. “I applaud Attorney General Nessel for working to address this issue and look forward to partnering with the MMIP Task Force to help improve coordination and build better relationships between our tribe and state and federal law enforcement agencies.”
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by orionontv | Nov 21, 2024 | Transportation
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Report: Seat belt use slides slightly in Michigan but fewer drivers using hand-held devices
On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, Timothy Gates, associate chair for undergraduate studies of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University, talks about a new report on the use of seat belts and hand-held devices by Michigan drivers.
Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/episodes/16147987-report-seat-belt-use-slides-slightly-in-michigan-but-fewer-drivers-using-hand-held-devices
The report shows 92 percent of front-seat occupants in Michigan wear seat belts, down from 92.4 percent in 2023 and 92.9 percent in 2022.
Gates talks about the demographic breakdown within those numbers, which show younger male drivers are less likely to wear seat belts. He also discusses the different kinds of drivers who populate the roads in the wake of the pandemic, as remote work remains the norm for more white-collar workers.
Also discussed: speeding continues to be a problem post-pandemic, Gates says.
Photo of Timothy Gates courtesy of Michigan State University.
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